Local news

RiverOak Strategic Partners (RSP) are seeking a Development Consent Order (DCO) from the Government to redevelop and reopen the airport as a hub for international air freight and to acquire the site compulsory from the current owners Stone Hill Park.

A consultation on their plans commences this week lasting until 23 July. it is vital that all members make a response if the future of our town is to be safeguarded.

The main features of RSP’s proposals are for a major international centre for air freight capable of handling a minimum of 10,000 air freight Air Traffic Movements (ATMs) per annum. This equates roughly to 28 flights per day.

The long term aspiration is to increase the number of flights to around 17,000 ATM’s per annum equivalent to around 50 flights per day. This compares with just over 500 ATM’S per annum in the airports last year of operation (ie around 2 flights per day) and demonstrates the scale of the operation proposed: a potential 34 fold increase in aircraft movements every day of the year.

Furthermore, the international air freight business will undoubtedly demand a significant number of night flights. The UK’s only successful cargo-focussed airport, East Midlands, has more than half of its cargo flights come in at night – i.e. between 11pm and 7am. That is the nature of the air cargo market. To persuade cargo airlines to move to Manston, RSP will have to offer night flights.

Whatever your views are about the current owner’s plans for a mixed use redevelopment of the site, RSP’s plan has to be resisted. It will devastate the town we cherish and which the Society, the Town Council and others are all seeking to regenerate and conserve its rich heritage. The noise impact alone of heavy, probably old, 747s flying low in and out of the airport, roughly every 20 minutes, will be enormously intrusive and destructive to the lives of all those residing and working in and around Ramsgate.

RSP are required to carry out this consultation exercise and on their website and at the following events will be making available documentation in support of their plans. We are encouraging all members to view the proposals and respond to the consultation. Please make sure you follow the instructions on how to reply and complete fully the feedback forms retaining a copy for future collation by the Society.

We will be preparing a detailed response once we have fully assessed RSP’s documentation. If you want to feed into this or have any questions please contact either This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..